For Friday, April 26, 2024

1 – What do you think about large scale solar farms along the highway or near your neighborhood?

If you don’t mind, you’re in the majority. 

Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Michigan State University and the University of Michigan surveyed almost 1,000 residents living near solar projects. 

They say it’s the first national survey of this kind.

The survey found that for residents living within three miles of a large-scale solar development, positive attitudes outnumbered negative attitudes by almost a 3-to-1 margin.

At the same time, researchers saw more negative attitudes associated with larger projects and somewhat less support from neighbors living within a quarter mile of projects.

…

2 – More solar is coming. 

Michigan is receiving $156 million from the federal government to lower the cost of community and rooftop solar for low-income and disadvantaged households. 

The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy plans to spend the money to provide resources for home upgrades like roof repairs that enable households to host rooftop solar. 

The state Department of Labor also will invest in workforce development in targeted communities.

Officials say thousands of households will benefit. 

The state will be promoting the program to encourage eligible people to sign up. It’s called MI Solar for All.  

…

3 – Lake sturgeon aren’t endangered, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says. 

The agency announced this week that the fish do not require listing under the Endangered Species Act. 

The agency was challenged by conservation groups. But federal officials say research shows that ongoing management efforts such as fish stocking have boosted existing populations and returned lake sturgeon to areas from which they had disappeared. 

Restoration efforts are ongoing across the United States, including in the Saginaw Bay watershed. 

Sturgeon were once abundant in many Michigan lakes and rivers. But they were nearly eradicated due to overfishing and habitat loss. 

– Mr. Great Lakes is heard at 6:45 and 8:45 Friday mornings on Delta College Public Radio 90.1 FM in University Center, Michigan, near Bay City (listen live). Follow @jeffkart on Twitter #MrGreatLakes

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